Rules of Collective Living: Cultivating Harmony Within and Without

“Harmony is my aim and all that leads to harmony makes me happy.” (CWM* 14:184)

Understanding Harmony

Harmony is often understood through its synonyms: agreement, accord, concord, synchronization, congruence, coordination, and coherence. While these words capture facets of harmony, they may not fully encompass its essence. Harmony is not merely a mental or intellectual exercise but also an experiential and embodied state. It involves a holistic integration of all aspects of our being, aligning our inner selves with our outer actions and the larger universe.

“Harmony and beauty of the mind and soul, harmony and beauty of the thoughts and feelings, harmony and beauty in every outward act and movement, harmony and beauty of the life and surroundings, this is the demand of Mahalakshmi…. Where love and beauty are not or are reluctant to be born, she does not come.” (CWSA** 32: 21)

Integral harmony, as highlighted by The Mother (The Mother, CWM 14:184), encompasses:

• Harmony between things
• Harmony between people
• Harmony of circumstances
• Above all, harmony of all aspirations directed towards the Supreme Truth

The inner causes of disharmony often govern the outer manifestations of discord. By focusing on inner harmony, we can influence and transform the external world.

“Look for the inner causes of disharmony much more than the outer ones. It is the inside which governs the outside.” (CWM 14:185)

Importance of Harmony

Harmony is crucial because:

• Human life, as Sri Aurobindo notes, often disrupts the grand harmony underlying nature.
• All problems of existence are fundamentally problems of harmony, arising from the perception of discord and the instinct for unity.
• A fully awakened mind cannot rest content with unresolved discord, seeking instead a comprehensive harmony.

“…all problems of existence are essentially problems of harmony. They arise from the perception of an unsolved discord and the instinct of an undiscovered agreement or unity. To rest content with an unsolved discord is possible for the practical and more animal part of man, but impossible for his fully awakened mind, and usually even his practical parts only escape from the general necessity either by shutting out the problem or by accepting a rough, utilitarian and unillumined compromise. For essentially, all Nature seeks a harmony, life and matter in their own sphere as much as mind in the arrangement of its perceptions.” (CWSA 21:4)

Practicing Harmony Within

To practice harmony within:

• Become conscious of the movements within, in all parts of our being.
• Cultivate the triple harmony of love, strength, and wisdom. Our love should be strong, wise, and discerning; our strength should be noble and controlled; our wisdom should be calm and impartial.

“Our love must not make us weak, blind or unwise; our strength must not make us hard and furious; our principles must not make us fanatical or sentimental. Let us think calmly, patiently, impartially; let us love wholly and intensely but wisely; let us act with strength, nobility and force. If even then we make mistakes, yet God makes none. We decide and act; He determines the fruit, and whatever He determines is good.” (CWSA 12:54)

Cultivating Collective Harmony

“Collective harmony is the work undertaken by the Divine Consciousness; It alone has the power to realise it.” (CWM 14:184)

“It is only in union with the Divine and in the Divine that harmony and peace can be established.” (CWM 14:184)

For collective living, harmony is paramount. The following rules can guide us in fostering harmony within groups and communities:

1. Self-Awareness and Inner Harmony

• Regularly introspect and become conscious of your inner state.
• Address internal conflicts and align your thoughts, emotions, and actions with your higher aspirations.

1. Respect and Understanding

• Foster a deep respect for the individuality and uniqueness of each person.
• Strive to understand differing perspectives and find common ground.

1. Clear Communication

• Communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully.
• Listen actively and empathetically to others.

1. Cooperation and Collaboration

• Work together towards common goals, valuing each member’s contribution.
• Encourage teamwork and collective problem-solving.

1. Patience and Tolerance

• Practice patience and tolerance in the face of differences and challenges.
• Avoid hasty judgments and reactions.

1. Emotional Intelligence

• Manage your emotions effectively and support others in doing the same.
• Cultivate empathy and compassion.

1. Balanced Approach

• Balance love, strength, and wisdom in all interactions.
• Avoid extremes and seek a middle path that accommodates diverse needs and views.

1. Commitment to Growth

• Encourage continuous personal and collective growth.
• Embrace change and be open to learning from experiences.

1. Creating a Harmonious Environment

• Ensure that the physical and social environment supports harmony and well-being.
• Promote beauty and order in surroundings and relationships.

1. Aspiring for Higher Values

• Align collective aspirations with higher values and the pursuit of the Supreme Truth.
• Inspire and uplift each other towards spiritual and moral excellence.

Harmony, when practiced both within and without, transforms not only individual lives but also the collective consciousness, leading to a more beautiful and balanced existence for all. By integrating the principles harmony into our collective living, we can create a harmonious and fulfilling community life.

“A harmonious collective aspiration can change the course of circumstances.” (CWM 14:184)

*CWM — Complete Works of the Mother

**CWSA — Complete Works of Sri Aurobindo

(Article by Sampadananda Mishra, Director, Centre for Human Sciences, Rishihood University, Sonipat, NCR Delhi, Published in the Golden Jubilee Souvenir of Sri Aurobindo Shrikshetra, Dalijoda, Odisha)